Everything Conatus stands for is at risk. Hoping to gather enough resistance to save their order, Ember and Barrow attempt a desperate escape. But fate offers little mercy. When their mission is exposed, the  couple face relentless pursuit by the supernatural horrors that act on the commands of Eira’s ally: the mysterious Bosque Mar. A shocking revelation forces Ember out of hiding, sending her back into the heart of dark magic at Tearmunn keep, where she must convince her old friend Alistair of her love or face dire consequences. Ember’s deception offers the only chance for the resistance to succeed, but what she discovers in the shadows beneath the keep will shatter her world and bring about the Witches’ War. Richly sensual and full of magic, action and danger, Andrea  Cremer's fifth book set in the Nightshade world is an edge-of-your-seat page turner. Cremer returns to Nightshade’s prequel world with this fast-paced sequel to Rift (2012). Her trademarks—romantic sensuality, swift pace, and powerful magic accessible to humans—are here in full force. Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow, who was training to be a Knight of Conatus, now juggles her attraction to handsome trainer Barrow with her need to gently dissuade ardent Alistair, a childhood friend who has long lusted after Ember. Lady Eira, who gained control of the Conatus compound Tearmunn by her pursuit of dark magic, now allows the nether world’s Lord Bosque Mar to seduce her. Readers who enjoyed the feisty warrior maidens of Rift may be dismayed that these women now rely primarily on their ability to manipulate men by conceding to seduction or pretending to be in love. Werewolf fans, however, will rejoice at Alistair’s grisly experiments, which result in Nightshade’s wolf shapeshifters. As the two series begin to bind together, they create a backstory for the Nightshade books that will please series fans. There’s at least one more title coming, judging from the cliff-hanger ending. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Plans for this fifth title in the New York Times best-selling Nightshade series include an impressive national consumer advertising campaign, and a presence at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and Comic-Con International. Grades 7-11. --Debbie Carton Praise for Andrea Cremer's Nightshade Series “A book for well-read hopeless romantics who like their heroines conflicted, their love interest smoldering and their passions triangulated and torrid, yet unfulfilled.”— The Los Angeles Times   “Will keep you reading intently.” —EntertainmentWeekly.com   “A clever young adult saga that leaves readers on the edge of their seats.”— The Associated Press   “Sexy and intoxicating, filled with action, suspense, and definitely romance . . .you will be dying for more!”— The Romantic Times “An imaginative…paranormal-suspense story. The book’s underlying themes of individualism and freedom…lift it to a higher level.— Kirkus Reviews   “Sexy and thrilling.”—Becca Fitzpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of Hush, Hush   “Nightshade is a glittering, dark gem.”—Cynthia Leitich Smith, New York Times bestselling author of Eternal   “Cremer’s trademark quick pace, romantic sensuality, and strong female characters will have fans clamoring for the next title.” – Booklist   “A richly layered, supernatural romance both appealing and unique.” – School Library Journal Andrea Cremer is the internationally bestselling author of the Nightshade series.  She taught for years at Macalester College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and still lives there today.  “When you asked me if any of the guard took lovers, I thought you might have sought a companion for your bed.” Ember nearly choked on her own breath. Fortunately Barrow continued speaking, sparing her the embarrassment of an attempt at spluttering a response. “And it was that day”—Barrow paused, holding Ember in his gaze—“that I was forced to admit my jealousy. Though I thought I could fight my own desires, I learned quickly that my only choice was to keep myself away from you.” “I thought you despised me,” Ember said. “Despised you?” Barrow said. “How could you think—” “You left me,” she answered sharply. “You were my teacher, my friend, and then you were gone. What else was I to think?” “I thought you would take me to be a brute no different from Alistair,” Barrow continued. “You are nothing like Alistair. I longed for you to come to me.” Ember leaned toward him, her pulse thrumming with the boldness of her words. “I still feared you,” Barrow told her. “What would happen if I . . . ” He rested his hand on her knee. Very slowly, Barrow’s touch moved up her thigh, following the curve of her hip and finally resting on her waist. He spread his fingers wide, pressing firmly from the bottom of her rib cage to her lower back. Ember didn’t break from his intent gaze, but her every breath was short and trembling. Belladonna Fiona Paul Bitterblue Kristin Cashore Bloodrose Andrea Cremer Eon Alison Goodman Fire Krist